Criminal Code—Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Bill to Amend--Third Reading
May 6, 2021
Moved third reading of Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs).
She said: Honourable senators, I rise today to speak very briefly as the sponsor of Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs). This piece of legislation has been the culmination of over 12 years of parliamentary work on the pressing issue of organ trafficking.
Honourable senators, organ trafficking is a horrendous, predatory practice that targets and exploits impoverished and otherwise vulnerable people. It is a violation of the principles of equity, justice and respect for human dignity. Let us be global leaders in the battle against organ trafficking and pass Bill S-204 here and now. Thank you.
Honourable senators, I rise today in support of Senator Ataullahjan and Bill S-204, and I will be brief as well. I will simply say that the time has come to pass this bill and ask for your support.
I believe that if there is no law making the purloining of organs a criminal offence, no jurisdiction in which to try those who practise such coercion and prey upon the truly vulnerable, then we have abrogated our responsibility to the greater cause of humanity. I realize there is no way to completely end this and not always a way to spot it, but there is forever a way to fight this through our God-given moral integrity. I will not quote or reiterate statistics. I will only say they are as dire as one might expect and pain the conscience of anyone who is decent; any man or woman.
We have often been asked in this world to fight against the darkness that threatens us, to fight the good fight. In this chamber over the last four years, I have seen this happen. I believe that Bill S-204 and Senator Ataullahjan are standard bearers in such a battle, and I ask for your support.
Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
(Motion agreed to and bill read third time and passed.)
